Last



vJuly 8, 1947.

A. RuBlN E-r Ax. 2,423,566

LAST

Filed May 18, 1946 Patented July 8, 1947 LAST Abraham B. Rubin and George A. Fabenlvlillers; burg, Pa, assignors, by mesnc. assignments., to, ColumbiaDevelopment Company, a partnership consistin'g of Anna G. Rubin and Rose T. Hall Application May 18, 1946, Serial No. 670,660

(Cl. l2-135) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a shoe last for use in the manufacture of shoes.

It was formerly the practice to form the shoe over the last and then to remove the last4 by either contracting it or breaking it in the center. It has more recently been the practice to partially form the shoe and then to insert the last into the partially formed shoe, then to expand the last to the standard size for the finished shoe and then to finish the shoeupon the last and linally to remove the last.

It is the object of the present invention to make a last suitable for insertion into a partially formed shoe and then to expand the last length- Wise to the standard size for which the shoe is intended and then to lock the last in that extended position, After the shoe is finished as far as it may be on the last, the last is contracted and withdrawn from the completely shaped and sized shoe. The last of the instant invention may be locked closed as well as open.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 is an inverted plan View of the last partially in section to show the operating mechanism, and with the lastI sections expanded.

Figure 2 is a similar view with the parts or sections of the last contracted.

Figure 3 is a partial sectional side view of the last with the last sections expanded.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the key used to operate the last.

In the drawing similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The last is composed of two sections, a heel section I and a fore section 2. A bolt 3 is fastened by a set screw li into the fore section. The bolt 3 extends into a bore 5 in the heel section in which it slides closely. A rod 6 fits snugly into the heel section I and slides closely in bore 'I in the fore section. The rod 5 and bar 3 are parallel and guide the two sections for linear movement to and from each other.

Bolt 3 is slotted longitudinally horizontally as shown at 8. It is also slotted vertically longitudinally as shown at 9. The bolt 3 is drilled out from the rear end to form a cylindrical cavity I therein.

A disc cam lI having a square. hole I2 adjacent one side and with notches I3 and I4 on a diameter through that hole is placed horizontally in slot 8 in bolt 3. A shaft I5 having a hexagonal opening I6 for key II in its top is placed to rotatesnugly in cylindrical cavity I8 extending directly downward into the heel section of the last. Shaft I5 has a smaller diameter as shown at i9 near its lower end to permit it to pass through the upper of the vertical slots 9 in bolt 3. It is f then made square yon its lower section to fit tightly in square hole I2 in cam II. VA shoulder is left on part I9 to limit the extent of its insertion, down into Opening I2 in the .disc @am H. Below this square portionthe shaft sagain roundedarld reduced in. diameter to pass through thesmaller vertical slot 9 in bolt 3.

YBack of the ,z :avrnV inthe bore I0 is placed rst a ballbearine 2.0', then. av Spring 2l,r then a plug 22 with threads .thereon ,is Screwed into the bere to `hold thev assembly firmly in place. A plug 23 is likewise placed inv the, back of the bore 5 in the heel section I of the last to close it.

It will be apparent that rotation of the shaft l5 will rotate* the cam Il and this rotating, because of the fixed position of the shaft I5 in the heel section, will Aforce the bolt 3 longitudinally in the bore 5 in thevheel section I. The surface of the bolt 3 at the forward end of slot 8, is cut away at 24 to form a bearing surface 25, for the movement of the cam thereon. The ball 20 likewise forms a bearingv surface. When both of these are in the notches I3 and I4 the last is locked in either expanded or contracted position. This rm locking of the last in its respective positions is essential to insure exact size for the shoes to be made on the last and when the last is locked closed this assures the ready insertibility of the last into the partially completed shoe, The spring 2l holds ball bearing 20 in contact with cam II and cam II in contact with bearing surface 25 at all times.

It will be apparent that many modifications can be made in the last described and shown without departing from the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A shoe last comprising fore and heel sections having aligned bores therein, a bolt iixedly secured in the bore in one section and slidable in the bore in the other, said bolt adjacent its sliding end, having a longitudinally extending slot therein, the bolt presenting a bearing surface within the slot toward the sliding end, a cam within said slot, said cam being mounted for rotating and slidable movement within said slot and bearing on said surface during a portion of its revolution, means to hold the axis of said cam from linear movement and to rotate the cam, to expand the sections apart.

rotating and slidable movement within said slot and bearing on said surface during a portion of its revolution, means to hold the axis of said cam from linear movement and to rotate the cam, to expand the sections apart, a surface in saidv slot, on the side of the cam opposite Fsaid first named surface, bearing upon the other sidey of the cam, and adapted to be retracted upon further rotation oi the cam to contract the sections together.

3. A shoe last comprising fore and heel sections having aligned bores therein, a bolt xedly secured in the bore in one section and slidable in the bore in the other, said bolt, adjacent its sliding end, having a longitudinally extending slot therein, the bolt presentingl a bearing surface within the slot toward the sliding end, a cam within said slot, said cam being mounted for rtating and slidable movement within said slot and bearing on said surface during a portion of its revolution, means to hold the axis of said cam from linear movement and to rotate the cam, to expand the sections apart, a surface in said slot, on the side of the cam opposite said rsi; named surface, bearing upon the other side of the cam, and'adapted to be retracted upon further rotation of the cam to contract the sections together, a notch in said cam, one of said bearing surfaces resting in said notch at each position of extreme expansion and contraction of said sections.

, 4. A shoe last comprising fore and heel sections having aligned bores therein, a rotatable upwardly extending shaft in one of said sections, a bolt slidable in the bore section having the shaft therein and being fxedly secured in the bore of the other section, longitudinal movement of said bolt in the one section contracting and expanding the sections linearly, said bolt, in its sliding end, being longitudinally slotted, the fixed bolt end presenting a bearing surface toward the slot, a bearing surface in the slotted end, aV cam in aaaasc the slot between said surfaces, said shaftbeing keyed in said cam to turn the same and to prevent linear movement thereof, the turning of said shaft expanding and contracting said sections.

5. A shoe last comprising fore and heel sections having aligned bores therein, a rotatable upwardly extending shaft in one of said sections, a bolt slidable in the bore in the section having the shaft therein and being xedly secured in the bore ofthe other section, longitudinal movement of said bolt in the one section contracting and expanding the sections linearly, said bolt, in its l sliding end, being longitudinally slotted, the

xedrbolt end presenting a bearing surface toward the slot, a bearing surface in the slotted end, a cam in the slot between said surfaces, said shaft being keyed in said cam to turn the same and to prevent linear movement thereof, the turning of said shaft expanding and contracting said sections, a notch in said cam, one of said bearing surfaces resting in said notch at each position of extreme expansion and contraction of said sections. l

6. A shoe last comprising fore and heel sections having aligned bores therein, a rotatable upwardly extending shaft in one Of said sections, a bolt slidable in the bore in the section having the shaft therein and being fixedly secured in the bore of the other section, longitudinal movement of said bolt in the one section-contracting and expanding the sections linearly, said bolt, in its sliding end, being longitudinally slotted, the fixed bolt end presenting a bearing surface toward the slot, a bearing surface in theslotted end, a cam in the slot between said surfaces, said last named bearing surface being resiliently held against the cam, said shaft being keyed in said cam to turn the same and to prevent, linear movement thereof, the turning of said shaft expanding and contracting said sections, a notch in said cam, one of said bearing surfaces resting in said notch at each portion of extreme expansion and contraction of said sections, whereby said resiliently held bearing surface resiliently holds said cam in locked position at each position of extreme expansion and contraction of said sections.

ABRAHAM B. RUBIN. GEORGE A. FABER. 

